Mank Film Review

Directed by David Fincher

Starring: Gary Oldman, Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins

Rated R for some language

Mank is a Netflix film directed by David Fincher. Mank tells the story of screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman) and the period in which he wrote the screenplay Citizen Kane. Set in the 1940’s, Mank not only tells the story of how Herman Mankiewicz wrote the legendary screenplay, but also his encounters with Hollywood legends such as Orson Wells (played by Tom Burke) and Louis B. Mayer (played by Arliss Howard).

When you come to a film like Mank, you expect powerhouse performances and the film delivers. Gary Oldman as Mank is fantastic and delivers a strong performance. It is one of his memorable performance as throughout the film he acts like a drunk. He interacts well with everyone he encounters, with one lone exception that will be explained later. The scenes featuring Mank interacting with Mayer, William Randolph Hearst (played by Charles Dance), and Marion Davies (played by Amanda Seyfried) are not only well done but well acted. In particular, the scene in which Mank drunkenly describes the idea of writing Citizen Kane. While all the actors in the film are fantastic, I can see Gary Oldman and Amanda Seyfried getting Oscar nominations.

As the film is set in the 1930/40’s, director David Fincher not only makes the film feel like it is the 1930/40’s with its production designs, but the way the film is filmed. The film is black and white, but the film feels like it was made with a camera from this era. There are moments in the film in which the film gets a bit a grainy, like older films would. Cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt succeeds in making the film feel like it is a product of the golden age of Hollywood. Messerschmidt does not use large fancy lights that are commonly used in other films. Instead, he relies on natural lights, such as candles or a lightbulb, to light a scene.

The screenplay was written by David Fincher’s now deceased father, Jack Fincher. The screenplay was written in the 90’s but the film did not come into fruition until now. While the screenplay was written in the 90’s, it still feels very relevant to today. A large chunk of the film features the discussion of politics, in particular the gubernatorial election of 1934 in California. The election included Upton Sinclair, a Democratic socialists who would like to end poverty. The political discussions in the film are not just relevant to 1934, but are relevant to today. The film poses the question of should Hollywood play a role in politics? There are Hollywood major players who not only support a candidate but push out propaganda that can influence the average moviegoer.

Mank is a fantastic film with some exceptions. First, Charles Dance as William Randolph Hearst is not featured in the film too much. While his character does not play a major role in the story, he was still a fascinating character which I would like to see more of. Also, I mentioned that Gary Oldman interacted well with all his fellow actors with a lone exception. That lone exception is Rita (played by Lily Collins), Mank’s secretary. While I won’t fault Lily Collins for this, her character is just forgettable. She doesn’t stand out as she doesn’t have a memorable line or scene. The only memorable thing about her is that her partner is presumed to be missing in action during World War II. This is quickly resolved towards the end of the film, but it felt pointless. This was more than likely added to give the character sympathy for not only watching over Mank but also worrying about her partner possibly being dead. I can appreciate what Jack Fincher tried to do here, unfortunately it falls flat.

Overall, Mank is a fine film that has a lot to offer. The outstanding performances, camera work, and screenplay are not only very distinct, but grab the viewer’s attention and commands their attention. While this film will not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a film all film buffs who love the golden age of Hollywood will enjoy.

4/4